Apparatus for removing strands from articles



R. c. KIRCHMEYER ETAL 3,195,832

APPARATUS FOR REMOVING STRANDS FROM ARTICLES 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 J July 20,1965 Filed Dec. 21, 1962 July 20, 1965 R. c. KIRCHMEYER ETAL 3,195,832

APPARATUS FOR REMOVING STRANDS FROM ARTICLES Filed Dec. 2l, 1962ATTORNEY July 20, 1965 R. c. KIRCHMEYER ETAL 3,195,832

APPARATUS FOR REMOVING STRNDS FROM ARTICLES Filed Dec. 2l, 1962 5Sheets-Sheet 3 W. E PETEPSEN BY Mal? M ATTORNEY I mvENT s Lili E.C.IlECHME-YEE July 20, 1965 R. c. KIRCHMEYER ETAL 3,195,832

APPARATUS FOR REMOVING STRANDS FROM ARTICLES ...ml 'n ITI mvENToEs RKI.K CHMEYEE W.E.PETEESEN By Q3/ @waa-J ATTORNEY July 20 1965 R. c.KIRCHMEYER ETAL. 3,195,332

APPARATUS FOR REMOVING STRANDS FROM ARTICLES 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Dec.21, 1962 i l rl e l INVENTOQS IQCKHQCHMEYEE W.E.PETESEN Mld @M AT TOENYUnited States Patent 3,195,832 APPARATUS FOR REMVING STRANDS FROMARTECLES Richard C. Kirchmeyer and Warren E. Petersen, maha,

N ehr., assignors to Western Electric Company, Incorporated, New York, NY., a corporation of New York Filed Dec. 21, 1962, Ser. No. 246,400 1l)Claims. (Cl. 242-4295) This invention relates to apparatus for removingstrands from articles, and more particularly to apparatus for removingstrands from a plurality .of cylindrical reels in unison. It is anobject of this invention to provide new and improved apparatus of thischaracter.

In the manufacture of insulated wire and cable, insulated wire is woundon cylindrical reels, land subsequently is unwound from the reels, invarious stages of the manufacturing process. In many instances after anunwinding operation, some of the reels involved have unused wireremnants thereon which must be removed from the reels before the reelscan be reused. In the past, these scrap wire remnants have been removedfrom the reels by unloading the reels by hand from vertically nestedpallets upon which they normally are stored, removing the wire remnantsfrom the reels, and then loading the reels by hand back on the pallets.This procedure is undesirable since it is relatively inefficient,uneconomical and time consuming.

Accordingly, another object of this invention is to provide new andimproved apparatus for removing wire remnants from a plurality of reelssupported on vertically nested pallets, without removing the reels fromthe pallets.

A further object of this invention is to provide new and improvedapparatus for removing wire remnants from a plurality of reels inunison, where the reels are supported on vertically nested pallets whichare movable laterally relative to one another.

A still further object of this invention s to provide new and improvedapparatus for removing strands from a plurality of reels in unison,where the reels have bores extending therethrough and are supported on apallet in a row with the bores substantially in axial align-ment.

kIn accordance with the invention, a mechanism moves a set of palletshaving reels supported thereon against a stop mechanism to position thepallets such that bores in the reels are aligned axially withhorizontal, parallel arbors. The arbors then are moved into the bores inthe reels and lifted vertically to lift the reels oif the pallets sothat the reels can rotate on the yarbors and so that strands on thereels, :such as scrap wire remnants, can be pulled from the reels.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, a conveyor arrangement isprovided for moving a set of vertically nested pallets with rows ofreels thereon into and out of position adjacent an arbor Iassembly whichincludes vertically spaced, parallel arbors connected together formovement as a unit. T-he pallets are engage-d and moved into positionadjacent the arbors by a vertically arranged frame assembly against avertically arranged stop mechanism to orient the pallets such that boresin the reels are aligned axially with the arbors, whereby the arbors canbe moved longitudinally through the bores.

Vertically spaced, horizontal support members are provided forsupporting the arbors between their ends when the arbors have been movedthrough the bores in the reels. The support members are connectedtogether for vertical movement at adjacent ones of their ends whileother ends thereof, which extend adjacent the frame assembly, normallyare unconnected so as not to ice interfere with movement of the palletsby the frame assembly into position ladjacent the arbore. As the frameassembly moves the pallets adjacent the arbors a vertically movablemechanism on the frame assembly engages and interconnects theunconnected ends of the support members, and also engages and connectsitself to a lifting apparatus so that it can be lifted thereby.

The lifting apparatus also is connected to lift the support members attheir connected ends and to lift vertically movable guide and supportassemblies for the arbors. Thus, after the arbors have been movedthrough the bores in the reels, operation of the lifting apparatus liftsthe larbors and thereby lifts the reels off the pallets so that thereels can rotate on the arbors, after which strands on the reels, suchas scrap wire remnants, are pulled therefrom by rotatable Windingapparatus connectable to the strands.

This invention, together with further objects and advantages thereof,will best be understood by reference to the following detaileddescription, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings inwhich:

FIG. l is a side elevational view of the strand removing apparatus in afirst operating position, certain parts having been omitted;

FIG. 2 is an elevational View taken substantially along the lin-e 2 2 ofFIG. l, but showing the strand removing apparatus in a second operatingposition;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged partial cross-sectional view taken substantiallyalong the line 3 3 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged partial cross-sectional view taken substantiallyalong the line 4 4 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a partial elevational View taken substantially along the line5 5 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is a partial plan view of the strand removing apparatus;

FIG. 7 is a partial cross-sectional View showing a detail of theapparatus; and

FiG. 8 is a partial cross-sectional view showing a detail of theapparatus.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2 of the drawings, it is seen that theillustrated embodiment of the invention is designed to remove scr-apwire remnants 10 (shown only in FIG. 2) from a plurality of cylindricalreels 11 in unison. The reels 11 are supported on sets (only one shown)of vertically nested box-like pallets 12 in elongated substantiallyV-shaped troughs 13 (FIG. fl) of the pallets, and the troughs of eachpallet extend substantially parallel to one another. Each of the reels11 includes `an axial cylindrical bore 14 (FIG. l) which receives anarbor to support the reel for rotation during a scrap wire removingoperation, and which in actual use receives an arbor for supporting thereel for rotation during wire and cable manufacturing operations.

Each of the pallets 12 includes vertical corner members 16 land aplurality of other frame members suitably secured to one another to forma substantially opensided rectangular container. The sides and ends ofeach pallet 12 at its top include outwardly and upwardly projectingL-shaped flanges 17 which form a nest for receiving the bottom ofanother pallet so that the pallets can be vertically nested as shown inFIGS. 1 and 2. To facilitate the positioning of the pallets 12 in nestedrelationship, the inner dimensions of the 4nests of the pallets arelarger than the outer dimensions of the bottoms of the pallets, and thusthe nested pallets are movable horizontally relative to one another.Accordingly, the axes of the cylindrical bores 14 in the reels 11 in anyone pallet 12 normally are not in vertical alignment with the axes ofthe bores in the reels in the other pallets.

Each set of vertically nested pallets 12 is movable to and away from theapparatus on a main horizontal roller conveyor 18,4 which canlbe seenextending along'. the

allets 12 thereon. The conveyor section 19 is movv I of P Y the platform31 adjacent oppositesides of the cross conable from the position showninFIG. l to the left along a crossV conveyor 21, for moving the lpallets12,between Y Y rst land second arbor assemblies 22 Land 23 for a scrapwire removing operation, the arbor assemblies being located on oppositesidesv ofthe apparatus,r as is` best shown in FIGS. 2 and 4. Y i Themovable conveyor section .19 includes. a pair vof parallel rows ofrollers 24 (FIGS. l and 2) extending along opposite sides of arectangular `horizontal base-plate 25 (FIG. 2). Each rowlof rollers 24isY mounted on the base plate 25 between inner and outer upstandingparallel flanges 26 and ends. Y Y l f As is best shown in FIG..2, thebase plate V25 of the wconveyor section 19 is supported for movement onthey v 4 are connected to horizontally reciprocating piston rods of rapair of upper fluid operating cylinders 47 rigidly mounted on theunderside of an elevated frame 48. Similarly, the lower ends of theVside members 33 are connected to horizontally'reciprocating piston rodsof a pair of lower fluid operating cylinders 49 rigidly mounted on veyor21.'V The operating cylinders 47 and 49 are connected 'to a commonsupply line and are operative to move the vertical frame 32 to the rightinto the position shown in FIG. 1inrwhich it is spaced from the conveyorsection 19 as above described, and are operative to move 27 secured tothe rbase plate at 'their lower l cross conveyor 21 on a .pair ofhorizontally spaced Vparal-V lel-rows of rollers 28. Each row of rollers28'is mounted on an upstanding leg of an angle bar 29having its otherleg secured Vto and along oneside of a horizontal rec- 32 includes apair of spaced vertical side members 33v (FIGS. Y1 and 4) and upper andlower horizontal cross membersn 34 Vsuitably connected together in asubstantially rectangular shape.` The lower end of each of the verticalside members 33 carries a support wheel 36.V The support ,wheels 36 aremovable along the platform'Sl on opposite sides of the cross conveyor,21 (FIG. 4) and the lower Icross member 34 is spaced above the platformto permit travel of the frame above the cross conveyor.

Referring tothe bottom of FIG. Y2 and' tofFIG. 7, it `is seen that thelower cross member 34 of the vertical frame 32 is connected to theconveyor section 19 by a suitable lost motion mechanism, such as a vpairof horizontally spaced Vbolt and nut assemblies 37. Thus, asrshown'inFIGS. 1 and 7, the vertical frame 32 isj movable to theV right relativeto` the conveyor section 19 intoY spaced relationship therewith, inwhich position it will notV inter- A l fere with movement of rthepallets 12 along theV main conveyor 18 onto the conveyor section.

the framerare bolted or otherwise suitably secured toV the upper ends ofvertical I-beam posts S1. The lower ends of the vertical posts 51 areanchored to the floor infany suitablemanner. Y I

As is best shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, the pair of vertical corner posts 51at each side of the apparatus have a hori- `zontal channel-shapedY guidemember 52 secured thereto adjacent their-lower ends by suitableYbrackets. Each guide member 52 extends adjacent one side of the crossconveyor 21 obliquely inwardftoward the center of the apparatus andisgengageable .by the lower pallet 12 as the set of'palletsis beingmovedbetween the arbors 44 and 46, for guiding thelpallets toward the centerof the apparatus and insuring their movement into engagement with'a pairof vertically arrangedY stop assemblies 53 at the left-hand end (FIG. 1)of the cross conveyor.

' As is b'estshown in FIG. 4, the Vstop assemblies 53 are locatedAat'opposite sides of the apparatus. Each ofthe stop Vassemblies 53`includes a vertical post 54, las for example an angle bar, secured atits' lower end to the platform 31 (FIG. 1) and secured at its upper endto Y the elevatedframe 48.` Vertically spaced'horizontal stop VAs shownin FIG. 7, eachboltandy nut assembly 37v includes an elongated bolt 38yextending through aligned apertures in depending lugs 39 and 41'on thebase plate 25 of the conveyor section 19 andthe lower cross member 34 ofthe .vertical frame 32,. respectively, the bolt being provided v'with ahead on one end and a threaded nut on its otherend whichrcooperate tolimity the move- .ment of the vertical frame relative to the conveyorsecmembersSS are xedly mounted on each ofthe vertical posts 54 and eachof the stop members includes avertilcalV stop surface 56. As inthe caseof the pallet engaging surfaces 43Y of the vertical frame 32, the stopsurfaces 56 all lie in acommon vertical plane parallel to thelongitudinal axes of the arbors 44 and 46.*r Further, the stop ,surfaces56 are located so that when they are engaged n by associated .ones ofthe vertical'v corner members 16 vtion and which are spacedfapart so asto permit'v such limited movement. Movement of lthe conveyor section 19with the vertical frame 32to the rightrbeyond the posi- .tion oftheconveyor section shown in FIG. 1. islimited in any suitable manner,asfforexample by stop members (not shown) on the main conveyorr 18. v

` The'vertical frame 32 further includes vertically spacedVchannel-shaped members 42 secured to the vertical side members 33andextending horizontally across the width of the frame between the sidemembers. 42 include pallet engaging surfaces 43 whichr all lie in avertical plane parallel to the longitudinal axes of vertically spaced,parallel arbors 44 and l46 of the arbor assemblies 22 and 23,respectively. y fV l f As is best shown in FIGS. 1, 3 and 6, they upperends of the vertical side members 33 .of the vertical Vframe 32 of thepallets 12 on the conveyor section19, as shown Vin FIG. 4, and inV amanner next to bedescribed, the pallets will be verticallyrraligned inplanes parallell tothe stop surfaces'and theraxes Voflthe bores 14 inthe rreels 11 will be in axial alignment with associated ones of thearbors 44- and 46.

. Asthe-.palletengaging surfaces 43 of theV vertical frame ?,Zengage thepallets 12 to move them between the arbors .44 and 46, the surfaces tendto rotate the pallets horizontally about their vertical axes so that theVaxes of the n bores 14 in the reels 11 extend parallel tothelongitudinal The members axes of the arbors, and alsotend to align thepallets verticallyin vertical planes parallel to thesurfaces.Subsequently, as the pallets engage the stopfsurfaces 56 the palletengaging `surfaces 43 positively rotate the pallets abouttheir verticalaxesso that the bores 14 in the reels Y11 extend lparallel to the arbors44 and 46, ifthev pallets are not so oriented, and the stop surfaces andthe pallet engaging surfaces cooperate to align the pallets verticallyto locatev the bores in vthe reels in alignmentwitlrthe arbors. Thearbors 44anfd 46 then can be moved from the retracted `positions shownin dashed lines in FIG. 2 through the boresV 14 into their positionsshown in solid lines in FIG. 2, either manually, or by a suitablemechanism (not shown).

The arbors 44 of the arbor assembly 22 are connected together formovement as a unit at their right-hand ends, as viewed in FIG. 2, bybolts which extend through apertures in a vertical connecting member 57and which are threaded into the ends of the arbors. The arbors 46 of thearbor assembly 23 are similarly connected together at their left-handends (FIG. 2) by bolts and a vertical connecting member 53. Each of thearbor connecting members 57 and 58 carries a wheel S9 on its lower endwhich is supported on and movable along a track in the form of anelongated at plate 61 integral with the platform 31 and resting on theoor.

As is best shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, each of the arbors 44 and 46 can beprovided along its length with encircling rollers 62 which are mountedthereon adjacent one another for independent rotation, to facilitaterotation of the reels 11 on the arbors, and which are retained thereonby a nut member threaded on a threaded portion of the arbor at its freeend.

Referring to FIG. 2, it is seen that the right-hand arbors 44 aresupported for longitudinal movement in vertically movable guideassemblies 63, and the left-hand arbors 46 are supported in the samemanner in vertically movable guide assemblies 64. As is best shown inFIGS. 3 and 4, each of the guide assemblies 63 and 64 includes aseven-sided tubular member 66 having longitudinally spaced sets ofrollers 67 and shafts 68 mounted in opposite sides thereof to formsupports for the arbor associated therewith. Each of the guideassemblies 63 and 64 also includes a vertical sleeve member 69 fixedlymounted on a bracket 71 secured to the tubular member 66 thereof. Thesleeve member 69 is mounted for vertical sliding movement on a verticalcylindrical post 72 secured at its lower end to the platform 31 andsecured at its upper end to a bracket fixedly mounted on one of themembers of the elevated frame 4S. Rotation of each of the guideassemblies 63 and 64 on its associated post 72 is prevented by aprojecting lug 73 on the sleeve member 69 of the guide assembly beingreceived between laterally spaced vertical guide flanges 74 (FIG. 4) ona collar member 76 adjustably mounted on the post beneath the sleevemember by suitable set screws.

As is best shown in FIGS. l and 2, a plurality of vertically spacedchannel-shaped members 7'7 extend horizontally above the cross conveyor21 centrally thereof and are designed to extend between adjacent ones ofthe reels 11 on the pallets 12, for supporting the arbors 44 and 46between their ends when the arbors are lifted vertically by a liftingmechanism 78 supported on the top of the elevated frame 48 andsubsequently to be described. For this purpose, the support members '77are provided with apertures 79 (FIG. 1) for receiving the arbors 44 and46 as the arbors are moved through the bores 14 in the reels 11.

The arbor support members 77 are rigidly connected together adjacenttheir ends farthest removed from the vertical frame 32 by verticalmembers S1, while the other ends of the support members adjacent thevertical frame are free and not connected to one another, so as not toobstruct movement of the pallets 12 between the arbors 44 and 46. Eachof the support members 77 has a sleeve member 82 (FIGS. 2 and 4) securedthereto adjacent its connected end and supported for vertical movementon a vertical cylindrical post 83 secured at its lower end to theplatform 31 and secured at its upper end to the elevated frame 48. As inthe case of the sleeve members 69 of the arbor guide assemblies 63 and64, each of the sleeve members 82 includes a laterally projecting lug 84(FIG. 4) which extends between a pair of spaced vertical guide anges 86on a collar member S7 (FIG. 2) adjustably mounted on the post S3 beneaththe sleeve member by suitable set screws, for preventing rotation of thesleeve member and its associated support member 77 on the post.

The vertical frame 32 carries a vertically movable mechanism S8 designedto interconnect the free unconnected ends of the arbor support members77. In this regard, as is best shown in FIGS. 1 and 5, theinterconnecting mechanism 88 includes vertically spaced, horizontallyextending, channel-shaped members S9 designed to receive associated onesof the unconnected ends of the support members 77 in telescopingrelationship therein as the vertical frame moves the pallets 12 betweenthe arbors 44 and 46. The channel-shaped members 39 are xedly secured toone another by connecting members 91 extending vertically therebetween.

Each of the interconnecting members 89 has a laterally projecting sleevemember 92 (FIG. 5) secured thereto and slidably mounted on a verticalcylindrical post 93 secured at its upper end to one of the upper crossmembers 34 of the vertical frame 32 and at its lower end to the lowercross member 34 of the vertical frame. As in the case of the sleevemembers 69 and 82, each of the sleeve members 92 includes a laterallyprojecting lug 94 engageable between laterally spaced guide anges 96 ona collar member 97 adjustably mounted on the vertical post 93 bysuitable set screws, to prevent rotation of the sleeve member and itsassociated interconnecting member 89 on the post.

As is best shown in FIGS. l, 3 and 5, a pair of upstanding latch members98 are xedly mounted on the uppermost interconnecting member 89. Theupper ends of the latch members 98 are provided with horizontallyextending slots 99 (FIGS. 1 and 3) designed to receive opposite ends ofa horizontal lifting bar 101 of the lifting mechanism 78 when thevertical frame 32 moves the pallets 12 into position between the arbors44 and 46. The lifting bar 1111 is apertured to receive the lower end ofa vertically movable pin 102 and is adjustably mounted on the lower endof the pin by means of threaded upper and lower nut members. The pin 102extends upward through a sleeve 103 (FIG. 3) fixedly mounted on abracket secured to one of the members of the elevated frame 48, and isbiased downward by a spring 104 in the sleeve engaged at one end with astop member 166 secured to the upper end of the sleeve and engaged atits lower end with a bushing 107 slidable in the sleeve and secured tothe pin.

A lifting cable 168 has one end thereof connected to the upper end ofthe vertically movable pin 102, and another lifting cable 109 has oneend thereof connected to an upstanding lug 111 (left-hand side of FIG.3) on the uppermost central arbor support member 7'7. Third and fourthlifting cables 112 and 113 have ends thereof connected to the brackets71 of the uppermost arbor guide assemblies 63 and 64. As is best shownin FIG. 6, the cables 188, 109, 112 and 113 run over sheaves 114rotatably mounted in suitable brackets on the elevated frame 4S, andhave their other ends connected to a traveling block 116 lixedly mountedon the outer end of a reciprocating piston rod 117 of a fluid operatingcylinder 11S fxedly mounted on a suitable support on the elevated frame.

After the arbors 44 and 46 have been moved through the bores 14 in thereels 11, the operator actuates a control circuit for the lift cylinder118, and the lift cylinder, through the cables 108, 109, 112 and 113,lifts the interconnecting mechanism 83, the central arbor supportmembers 77 and the arbor guide and support assemblies 63 and 64 to liftthe arbors 44 and 46 vertically, and thereby to lift the reels 11 ot thepallets so that the reels can rotate on the arbors. The wire remnants 10on the reels then are gathered by the operator and connected toassociated winding mechanisms 119 of any suitable type at the left andright hand sides of the apparatus, as viewed in FIG. l, and the windingmechanisms are operated to Wind the remnants thereonv and thus pull theremnants from the reels. v i i When the arbor assemblies 22 and 23 arein their positions shownin solid lines in FIG. 2, in which the arbors'44 and 46 extend through'the bores 1li-*in the'reels 11, each of thevertical connecting members 57 and 5deuan operator insuresthat the reelsadjacent the centers of the pallets are spaced apart'for receiving thesupport v members 77 therebetween, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 4.

gages and operates a microswitch 121 on the adjacent" one of the arborguide assemblies 63 and'64 to condition an operating circuit for theliftcylinder 11S.V Thusthe` lift cylinder 118 cannot be operated to lift thereels 11 until the arbors 44 and 46 have been moved into positionthrough the reels. Similarly, when each of the arbor asse1nblies'22 and23 ispin its retracted position shown iny dashed lines in FIG. 2, eachof the vertical connecting members 57 and 53 engages and operates-amicroswitch 122 to condition an operating circuit for the horizontallyreciprocating operating cylinders 47 and 49, so'that the to permit suchmovement..

Adjacent each side of the vertical frame YlaZat its top, a hook-shapedretarding bar 123 (FIGS. 1, 2 and 8) has oneend xedly mounted onthetopmost one of the upper cross members 34, and has a hookvelement 124at its' other end which projects downward below the level 'ofV the uppersurfaces of the end and side flanges 17 of the topmost pallet 12. lnorder that the hook elements 124 will not interfere ,with movement ofthe set ofpallets 12 along the main conveyor 18 onto and oil oftheconveyor section 19, regardless of which pallet is the topmost palletand which sider of the topmost pallet is ad- Vjacent theA vertical frame32, the end anges 17 of each pallet are provided with cutout portions17a adjacent the side flanges17 of the pallet'.

As is best shown in FIGS. 3 and the conveyor section 19, the leading endof the` topmost pallet engages a plate126'pivotally mounted on thetopmost one of the upper cross members 34, and pivots the plateupwardfrom afdepending vertical position (not shown) to a horizontal positionin Which it engages and operates a microswitch 127 intheoperatingicircuit for the operating cylinders 47 and 49. 'Themicroswitch 127 is mounted on'one-of the retarding bars 123 which isadjacent the plate V126, as for example, as shown` in FIG. 8, theretarding bar 123 at the right-hand side ofthe apparatus. This-operationof the microswitch 127 conditions the operating circuit, for theoperating cylinders e7 and 49, and thus the operating cylinders 47 andy49 cannot operate to move the conveyor section 19 and the pallets 12between the arbors 44 and 'until the pallets are in proper position onthe conveyor section. v Y As the conveyor section 19 and the pallets 12are moved between the arbors 44 and 46 by the vertical frame 32 and theoperating cylinders 47'and 49, the retarding bars 123'merely move to theleft (FlG. 3) above the topmost pallet 12 relative thereto. However, asthe operating cylinders 47 and 49-move the pallets112 and theV conveyorsection 19y from between the arbors 44 and46 after a strand removingoperation, since the pulling forceiis being applied to the conveyorsection by thevertic'alV frameV 8, as therpallets 12 Yapproach the endof their movement* into position-on Then, assuming that the arborassemblies 22 yand 23 are in their fullyy retracted positions shown indashed lines in'FlG. 2, 'the control circuit forthe operating cylinders47 and. 49 is actuated tornove the vertical frame'32 to the left asviewed `in FlG. l, and the framel moves the con- 'veyor section andthepallets lalong the cross conveyor 21 between the arbor` assemblies. Asthe conveyor section 19 and the pallets move between the arborassemblies, the

, guide members 52 insure that` the pallets come into engagement withthe, stop surfaces 5670i the stop assemblies 53.

v When the palletsengage the stop surfaces 56, the'stop sur- Y. alongthemain conveyor 18 tothe right olf the conveyorV Ysection 19, whereuponanother set of pallets can be moved 32 adjacent its bottom through theboltsV 33, the upper operating cylinders 47 tend to move the'top of theframe faster than the lower operating cylinders move its bottom, 65

resulting in possible damageof thev rameand/or the operating cylinders.To prevent this,l the-hook elements 124 engage the. inner side of theadjacent side flange 17 of the topmost pallet 12 to distribute thepulling force` and to retard the movement of the upper end of theVertical frame 32, to maintain it even with the lower end of the frame.Y Y' In operation, a set of vertically nested pallets 12.withV reels 11thereon is moved onto the conveyor section 19, as for example from theleft as viewed in FIG. 2, and

faces and the pallet engaging surfaces 43cm the vertical' framecooperate to align the pallets vertically such that the axes of thebores V14 in the reels 11 are parallel to the longitudinal axes of thearbors 44 and 46', and toy locate the pallets so that the axes of thelbores are'aligned with their associated arbors. At thistime, theinterconnecting memy bers 39 ofthe interconnecting mechanism 8S havereceived the unconnected ends of the 'arbor/support members 77 toconnect the ends 'torone another, and the horizontal slots 99 in theupstanding latch (membersv 98 on the interconnecting mechanism havereceived the lifting bar 101 therein, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 5. l

Thearborsr44 and `4 6 then are `moved through the bores`14 in the reels11 to the solid linepositions shown in VFlG. 2. YThe lift cylinder `118then is actuated and through the cables 108, 109, 112 and y113 lifts theinterconnecting mechanism 88, the arbor support members `77 andthefarbor guide and support-assemblies 63 -and 64, to liiit the" arbors44 and 46 and thereby'to lift the reels 11 above the V-shaped troughsy13 of the pallets 12. Next, the ends of t-he wire remnants ltlpon t-hereels 11 are gathered by the operator and connected to the Windingmechanisms 119, which Vare actuated-to pulll the wire remnants from thewheels.

After the wireremnants 10 have been removed from the reels 11, the liftcylinder 118 is deactuated -to position the reels back on thepallets 12in the troughs 13, and the :arbors 44 and 46 are moved back Vto theirretracted positions shown in dashed lines in FG.V 2. The-operatingcylinders 47 and 49 then are actuated toy move the verticalv frame 32',the conveyor section 19, .and the pallets 12 on the' conveyorsectionback'to the'position shown in FIG. l, with the retarding ybarsYV 1213.acting lto prevent the upperA end 'of the vertical frame V32 from movingfaster than the lower end of the frame. I

As viewed in FIG. 2, the pallets 12 then can be moved onto the conveyorsection from the left,A and the Vabove steps can be repeated.

rWhile one embodiment of the inventionv has been dis- Vclosedv manymodications willy be apparent and it is intended'that the invention beinterpreted as including all modifications which fall within thetruespirit and scope What is claimed is: i 1. Apparatus for removing strandsfrom a plurality of reels supported-on pallets, which comprises:

horizont-al, parallel arbors; 4

means for supporting said arbors;l

Ymeans for moving the pallets and the reels thereon adja- H cent saidarbors;

stop means for limitingrthe movement of the pallets and ycooperablewithsaid :moving means to position the pallets such that the `axes'lofrbores inthe reels are aligned with the longitudinal axes lofv saidarbors,

:whereby said arbors kcan be received through the bores; and Y v lmeansfor lifting said arbors vertically to lift the reels `olf the pallets sothat ythe reels can rotate on said arbors and the strands can be pulledfrom the reels in uni-son. i 2. Apparatus for removing strands Vfrom aplurality of reels, wherein the reels are supported on vertically nestedpallets which are movable laterally relative to one another, whichcomprises:

vertically spaced, horizontal, parallel arbors; means for supportingsaid arbors; vertically arranged frame means engageable with thevertically nested pallets for moving the pallets and the reels thereonadjacent said arbors; vertically arranged stop means engageable by thepallets and cooperable with said frame mean-s to rotate the palletsabout their vertical axes such that the axes of bores in the reels arealigned with the longitudinal axes of said anbors, whereby said arborscan be received through the bores; and means for lifting said arborsvertically to lift the reels off the pallet-s so that the reels' canrotate on said arbors and the strands can be pulled from the reelS inunison. 3. Apparatus for removing strands from a plurality of reelssupportedon pallets, which comprises: horizontal, parallel arborsconnected together at adjacent ones of their ends for movement inunison; guide means mounted for vertical movement and -supporting saidarbors -for vertical movement therewith and horizontal longitudinalmovement relative j thereto;

means for moving the pallets and the reels thereon adjacent said arbors;stop means cooperable with said moving means to position the palletssuch that the axes of bores in the reels are aligned with thelongitudinal axes of said arbors, whereby said arbors can be moved insaid guide means through the bores; and a mechanism connected to saidguide means for lifting .said guide means and said arbors to lift thereels orf the pallets so that the reels can rotate on said arbors yandthe Istrands can be pulled from the reels in unison. 4. Apparatus forremoving stra-nds from a plurality of reels, wherein the reels aresupported on vertically nested pallets, which comprises:

vertically spaced, horizontal, parallel arbors; means supporting saidarbors for longitudinal movement; a movable support for the verticallynested pallet-s; `a vertical frame; means connecting said support tosaid vertical frame adjacent the lower end of said frame; iluidoperating means connected to said vertical frame adjacent its upper andlower ends, for moving said vertical frame into engagement with saidsupport and the pallets to move said support and the pallets adjacentysaid arbors, and for moving said vertical frame, said support and thepallets away from said arbors after the strands have been removed fromthe reels; 'stop means cooperable with said vertical frame to positionthe pallets such that the axes of bores in the reels thereon are alignedwith the longitudinal axes of lsaid arbors, whereby said arbors can bemoved through the bores; means for lifting said arbors vertically tolift the reels off the pallets so `that the reels can rotate on said-arbors and the strands can be pulled from the reelS in unison; andmeans cooperable with the pallets for retarding the movement of theupper end of said vertical frame away from said arbors by said iluidoperating means, so that the upper end of said frame does not movefaster tha-n its lower end. 5. Apparatus for removing strands from aplurality of reels supported on pallets, which comprises:

horizontal, parallel arbors;

means supporting said arbors for longitudinal movement;

means for moving the pallets and the reels thereon adjacent said arbors;stop means cooperable with said moving means to position the palletssuch that the axes of bores in the reels are aligned with thelongitudinal axes of said arbors, whereby said arbors can be movedthrough the bores;

support means located so as to extend between laterally adjacent ones olthe reels as said moving means moves the pal-lets adjacent said arbors,and being engageable by said arbors when said arbors move through Ithebores in the reels, for supporting the arbors between their ends; and

a lifting mechanism for lifting said support means and said arbors, tolift the reels olf the pallets so that the reels can rotate on saidarbors and the strands can be pulled from the reels in unison.

6. Apparatus for removing strands from a plurality of reels, wherein thereels are supported on vertically nested pallets, which comprises:

vertically spaced, horizontal, parallel arbors;

means supporting said arbors for longitudinal movement;

vertically arranged frame means for moving the vertically nested palletsand the reels thereon adjacent said arbors; stop means cooperable withsaid frame means to position the pallets such that the axes of bores inthe reels are aligned with the longitudinal axes of said arbors, wherebysaid arbors can be moved through the bores;

vertically spaced, horizontal support members connected together atadjacent ones of their ends for vertical movement and having free endsextending toward said frame means, said members being located so as toextend between laterally adjacent ones of the reels as said frame meansmoves the pallets adjacent said arbors, and being engageable by saidarbors when said arbors move through the bores in the reels, forsupporting the arbors between their ends; and

a lifting mechanism for lifting said support members and said arbors, tolift the reels off the pallets so that the reels can rotate on saidarbors and the strands can be pulled from the reels in unison.

7. Apparatus for removing strands from a plurality of reels, wherein thereels are supported on vertically nested pallets, which comprises:

vertically spaced, horizontal, parallel arbors;

means supporting said arbors for longitudinal movement;

vertically arranged frame means for moving the vertically nested palletsand the reels thereon adjacent said arbors;

stop means cooperable with said frame means to position the pallets suchthat the axes of bores in the reels are aligned with the longitudinalaxes of said arbors, whereby said arbors can be moved through the bores;

vertically spaced, horizontal support members connected together atadjacent ones of their ends for vertical movement and having free endsextending toward said frame means, said members being located so as toextend between laterally adjacent ones of the reels as said frame meansmoves the pallets adjacent said arbors, and being engageable by saidarbors when said arbors move through the bores in the reels, forsupporting the arbors between their ends;

interconnecting means mounted on said frame means for vertical movementand engageable with the free ends of said support members when saidframe means moves the pallets adjacent said arbors, to interconnect thefree ends of said support members; and a lifting mechanism for liftingsaid interconnecting i i means, said support members and said arbors, tolift the reels oit the pallets so that the reels can rotate i2the'pallets along said conveyor, and being engageable by said arborswhen said arbors move through ythe bores in the reels, vfor supportingthe arbors bereels wherein the reels are supported on vertically nestedon said arbors and the strands can be pulled from the reels in unison. i

Apparatus for removing strands from S. a plurality of pallets, whichcomprises: f

verticallyv spaced,ihorizontal,1parallel arbors; means supportingsaidarbors for longitudinal moveV ment; Y f t Y Y verticallyrarranged framemeans for moving the'ver'tically nested pallets and the reels thereonadjacent said arbors;

Vstop means cooperable with said frame means to posi-V tion thepalletssuch that the axes of bores in the reels are aligned Withthelongitudinal axes'of said arborsfwhereby saidarbors can be moved throughthe bores;

' vertically spaced, horizontal support members connectedV together atAadjacent ones of their ends forV vertical movement and having free Vendsextending v towardy `said frame means, said members Ybeing located so asto extend between laterally adjacent t reels on said pallets as saidframe means moves the above said conveyor so as to extend betweenadjacent Y' r f Y l Y v t -65 Mam/1N, STEIN, Primary Examiner.

ones of the reels when said vertical framemoves aymain conveyor `fortransporting the pallets andthe reels; v

verticallyr spaced, horizontal, t parallel 'arbors connected together atadjacent ones of their ends for movement in unisong' I guide meansmounted for vertical movement and supporting said arbors for verticalmovement therewith and horizontal' Ylongitudinal movement relativethereto; t s

"a cross conveyor extending adjacent said main conveyor palletsjadjacentsaid arbors, and being engageable v andk Said alrbOrSrl Said mainCOHVYOI having 1 Section by said arbors` when said arbors move throughthe thereof supported for movement 011 Said Cross C011- bores in thereels, for supporting the arbors between VeYOl'; 3 Y their ends; L avertical frame Vinountedrfor horizontal movement interconnecting meansmounted for vertical movement abOVe Sad'CTOSS Conveyor; Y f

on Said frame means and engageable vwith the free lost'fmotion meansVconnecting said vertical fra-me and ends of said support membersWhensaid frame means the CQUYCYOI' Section5 Y y f moves the palletsadjacent said arbors, to interconnect me'flns fQT'mPVng Said Verticalframe intqspaced rela' the treo ends ofrsaid support members; andtionshipwithrespect to the conveyor section so that a lifting mechanism,including meansefor engaging and f the Veffwally'tllesed Pallets CaltbemPVed OntOfh@ connecting said interconnecting means to said lifting a90m/@yor Sectfm and for ,moving .Sald frame mt@ mechanism as said framevmeans moves the pallets A engagement Wlthvhe conveyor s ectlon and thePal' adjacent said arbors, 'said lifting mechanism being lets im {noyeme conveyor Section and the Pallets operative to lift saidinterconnecting means, said sups ,alf-mg Sad CIOSS COHVeYQr f l Portmembers and said arbors to lift the reels'oft the vemcauy arranged Stopmeans engagable by the pal' pallets so that the tools can rotate 'onSaidv arbor'S 40 'lets'and cooperable with said vertical frame` torotate and the Strands can be pulledv from. the reels in the vpallets'about their vertical axes and to alignA the unison.V o t t Y Y Ypallets vertically such that .the axes of bores in the .9 Apparatus forremoving Strands Yfromaplurality reels thereon are aligned with thelongitudinal axesv of reels, wherein'the'ree'ls are supported onvertically of said arborsrwhereby sald arbprs'canbe moved nestedpallets, which comprises: 1 45 through the bores; f Y

vertically spaced, horizontal, parallel arbors connected f ,Veiucauy'spac'dihonzontal support members extend' together atvadjant ones'Voftheir ends for movement ingabove said cross conveyor so asto extendbetween in unison; adjacent ones of the reels when said'vertical frameguide means'inounted for vertical movement and-supmgves: the Palletsalong Said' Cross conveyor and porting said arbors for vertical movementtherewith bemg 'engageable by Sani arbors .when Sald arbrs andhorizontal longitudinal movement'relative'there- Y move through thebores 1n the reels for Supporting to; v the arbors'between theirends; aoonvoyor extending adJ-an't said arbors; 4means for lifting said supportmembers adjacent their a vertical frameY engageable with theverticallynested Opposlte ings an@ for hftmg Safd 'gulde means andPallets for 'moving the pallets and they reels thereon 55 thereby hftmgSaid arbors'to hft 'thefeels Off the along Said conveyor; Y Y l Ypallets so that the reels can rotate on said arbors; and verticallyarranged Stop means ongagtmbte by the` pa1 rotatable means connectableto the strands for pulling lets and cooperable'twithsaid vertical frameto posi- Y the Strands from the reels m unison" f Y tion the palletssuch that the axes of bores inthe Y Y Y i l reels are aligned with the'longitudinal axesV of said 60.5 Refrcns Cited by the Examiner arbors,whereby said arbors can be moved through t UNITED STATES PATENTS thebores 1n the reel's; f t 2,5G9,s28 5/50 Larmuih gt 24a-129.6 verticallyspaced, horizontal support members located

1. APPARATUS FOIR REMOVING STRANDS FROM A PLURALITY OF REELS SUPPORTEDON PALLETS, WHICH COMPRISES: HORIZONTAL, PARALLEL ARBORS; MEANS FORSUPPORTING SAID ARBORS; MEANS FOR MOVING THE PALLETS AND THE REELSTHEREON ADJACENT SAID ARBORS; STOP MEANS FOR LIMITING THE MOVEMENT OFTHE PALLETS AND COOPERABLE WITH SAID MOVING MEANS TO POSITION THEPALLETS SUCH THAT THE AXES OF BORES IN THE REELS ARE ALIGNED WITH THELONGITUDINAL AXES OF SAID ARBORS, WHEREBY SAID ARBORS CAN BE RECEIVEDTHROUGH THE BORES; AND MEANS FOR LIFTING SAID ARBORS VERTICALLY TO LIFTTHE REELS OF THE PALLETS SO THAT THE REELS CAN ROTATE ON SAID ARBORS ANDTHE STRANDS CAN BE PULLSED FROM THE REELS IN UNISON.